The United States Congress has called for a far-reaching bilateral agreement between Washington and Abuja aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities, dismantling jihadist terror networks and countering the growing influence of China and Russia in Nigeria.
The proposal was contained in a joint position by the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, details of which were shared on X by Congressman Riley Moore on Tuesday.
In a statement entitled Ending the Persecution of Christians in Nigeria, lawmakers commended Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), describing the move as decisive in holding perpetrators of religious violence to account. In October 2025, the United States announced that Nigeria would once again be added to the US State Department’s CPC list, having first been designated in 2020 during Mr Trump’s previous term before being removed shortly after Joe Biden took office.
Mr Trump stated on X that Christians in Nigeria were facing persecution and violence, justifying the country’s return to a religious freedom watchlist. Earlier in February, Congress recommended visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of violating religious freedom, including former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
Congressional findings
According to the committees, Mr Trump tasked Mr Moore, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole and other members with investigating what they described as the “persecution and slaughter of Nigerian Christians”. Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart hosted an investigative roundtable and led a congressional delegation to Nigeria, while House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith convened hearings to gather testimony from officials and civil society representatives.
In its findings, Congress declared that after decades of violence, “Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian”. Lawmakers alleged that Christians face ongoing attacks from well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of churches and schools, and widespread kidnappings.
The report also criticised the application of blasphemy laws in certain northern states, arguing that they are used to silence dissent and target religious minorities without due process.
Proposed strategic partnership
While acknowledging Nigeria as a key US partner, Congress urged stronger political will from Abuja. Central to its recommendations is a security and economic accord under which Nigeria would co-fund humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons, particularly in the Middle Belt, strengthen early-warning systems and deploy adequate rapid-response security forces.
Lawmakers also called for expanded defence cooperation, including divestment from Russian military equipment in favour of American systems, enhanced counter-terrorism collaboration and the potential provision of excess US defence equipment. Additional proposals include sanctions against perpetrators of religious violence, tighter oversight of US aid through a Government Accountability Office audit and a National Intelligence Estimate on sectarian conflict.
Engagement with international partners such as France, Hungary and the United Kingdom was also recommended.
Following the redesignation, Nigeria dispatched a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington to address concerns. The Nigerian government has acknowledged the killings but maintains they are not religiously motivated, citing complex security challenges including terrorism and organised criminality.
In December 2025, the United States Africa Command coordinated operations with Nigerian authorities against terrorist enclaves, while US personnel have been deployed to support training and intelligence-sharing.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, welcomed the congressional report as an opportunity to deepen cooperation, insisting there is no state policy of religious persecution and reaffirming Abuja’s commitment to safeguarding all citizens regardless of faith.
